hello, thanks,  that is what I think needs replacing. I feel that all 4 pickups should be touching, but they are not.

Perhaps when I got the set, because the original controller was bad, maybe that caused the short.

No the wheels have not spread apart.  The contacts just don't seem to be touching the wheels properly, like the springs are weak.  You would have to see this davenport to understand what I am talking about.

I have the Davenport, has 4 wheels with 4 pickups that touch the wheels.  I have noticed that these don't all touch the wheels at all times. The 4 pickups each have a roller that has spring tension behind it to keep contact with the corresponding wheel.  They don't. Only 2 of them do and the other 2 sometimes. 

My question is do these pickups (all 4 of them) need to contact the wheels at all times?

Maybe this is the reason I am having problems with the loco needing a push.

I have not bypassed the PCB, as for testing purposes yet.  I will need to make a jumper to fit the terminals
properly. 

I have inspected all wiring and just not sure about the pickups. I would think they all 4 need to contact the wheels at all times.

I sent Bachmann a few pictures of the PCB, they say there is no corrosion.  Is there someone on here that will look at these pics??

Hello all, thank you so much for all the advice.  I have decided to send both PCB's back to Bachmann, pictures of the corrosion helps but not sure if I can post on here, and having the part in your hand is better.  I have already done voltage measurements on the track, the track and transformer are not the problem. 

The original transformer,controller was bad......ordered a new one from Bachmann and from Ebay.....both of these work. 

yes wheels are clean.  the problem is with the PCB under the canopy. it is covered with corrosion,green chalky substance, looks like from moisture.

Bachmann sent a new PCB today i received it, it too has corrosive damage, not as bad.  I have pictures but its a no brainer for me.  I work with PCB's all the time on cars,trucks.  This is moisture,water damage on both boards.

that's a good idea.  but I don't want to void any warranty.  I would eventually like to install a sound and a speaker.

just got the new PCB.  it also is covered with corrosion.  what do I do? I don't think installing this PCB will help.

Hello,  I have been using my train every couple of days for about 30 minutes each time.  The train still needs a push at times, if I stop it to reverse or to go forward sometimes I have to push it.  The track is clean,brand new.

Also the smoke does not work.   I have tried the switch under the canopy and has no effect.

I submitted a request for repair around Oct 20th. I have not had a response yet.

I decided tonight to look a little further into the engine.  I know the track is getting the proper voltage , 16 volts.

I removed the canopy, and the connectors, removed the 4 screws holding the small circuit board and then removed the circuit board. 

Then I found the problem. Green corrosion on most of the solder joints under the board.
I have been a mechanic for 25 years and know what moisture can do to circuit boards,solder joints,etc.

Somehow this engine has gotten moisture in it.  The kit was new I thought, it looks brand new.

Any way I  am sure a new circuit board will fix my problem.  I put it back together and will continue to use it.
I emailed Jenny and hopefully they can send me a new circuit board for the davenport.

Thanks for the info.  The track looks very new.  I will just keep giving it a push to get it started. I always stop it and start it in same location so not a big deal.  It may sit for a day before I start it again.  I have stopped it in a different location and then tried it a few hours later and still needs a push.  but once it gets going its fine.

i think you might have hurt the guys feelings.  it was his first post.

okay. I will give that a try,  the track is brand new, but its possible there is oxidation or some other contaminant on the track.  I think perhaps this set was stored for a while, due to the place I purchased it said it was the last in inventory and would not be getting another.
Have a great day.

I had been using the Ebay item, it was brand new the brand name is Bachmann model 6607 , it is a transformer/controller assembly.  The controller I received from Bachmann uses the separate power pack.   At first I thought because the engine was new, maybe its breaking in.

But now it appears that it does it more often than before.   I can switch out the controllers for testing and noticed the newer Bachmann controller runs the train slower than the 6607 controller.  But the train just doesn't seem to have good speed with either one.

I suppose if it gets worse I will send the engine in for repair. I submitted a service request last night to Bachmann. Thanks for your help.

I have a new davenport.  Sometimes I have noticed more, the engine needs a push to get it going and once it goes it seems ok, perhaps a little slow, like something dragging or maybe an electrical problem,  the 3 cars all roll fine, just the engine has a problem.

So I received the Bachmann controller and transformer today.   For some reason the train goes slow.  And some times if I turn the engine off and turn it back on it wont move unless I give it a push.

All tracks are connected and screwed down.